East Central Reporter

State Representatives Chris Miller (R-Hindsboro) and Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich) have successfully passed House Joint Resolution 39, designating a section of Illinois Route 133 in Oakland as the “Lieutenant Jared W. Southworth Memorial Highway.” This resolution honors Lt. Southworth's service and sacrifice to his community and the United States. Lt. Southworth, a part-time police officer in Oakland, was killed in Afghanistan in 2009.

“One small way for us to show our respect for the men and women of our military who pay the ultimate price with their lives is to help remember them with a memorial highway designation,” said Rep. Adam Niemerg. He noted that he had been working on this project for over a year before its passage.

Lt. Jared W. Southworth was born in Mattoon in 1982, raised and educated in Oakland, and graduated from Oakland High School in 2000. He later earned an associate’s degree from Lakeland College and a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Illinois University, where he participated in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). In addition to his service as a part-time police officer, Southworth served with the HHC 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment of the Illinois National Guard and was a United States Army Ranger. He died on February 8, 2009, during Operation Enduring Freedom in Kabul due to wounds from an improvised explosive device (IED). His decorations include the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

Rep. Chris Miller remarked on Lt. Southworth's impact on the Oakland community: “Jared Southworth had a tremendous impact on the community of Oakland and his life serves us with a reminder of the importance of family, living with purpose, helping others, and fighting for what is right.”

The public is invited to attend a ceremony honoring Lt. Southworth on Saturday, July 6, 2024.

Meanwhile, new legislation set to take effect on July 1 includes provisions such as driver's licenses for non-citizens and minimum wage increases. Critics argue these policies were pushed through without adequate discussion or debate.

Governor J.B. Pritzker's recent budget proposal has also drawn criticism for including nearly $1 billion in tax hikes targeting corporations while indirectly affecting residents through increased property taxes, gas taxes, cell phone taxes, among others.

In another development related to Governor Pritzker’s policies, opponents have raised concerns about Senate Bill 2601 which aims at imposing penalties on landlords using climate change as justification.

Additionally, there are discussions surrounding funding journalism through taxpayer money—a move criticized by some legislators who argue it forces citizens to support unsustainable market ventures.

Residents can check their district details using this link: https://repcmiller.com/district/. For assistance with state agency interactions or other issues, constituents are encouraged to contact Rep. Miller’s office at 217-508-4108 or visit during office hours at 1113 Lincoln Ave., Charleston.